Enquiring employee minds want to know: How will holiday parties this year compare to last? Will it be oyster shooters, a 15-piece band and complimentary fur coats for the ladies---or pretzels, stale beer, Jujubes, and a pat on the back? For that matter, will there even be a party? A November survey of 105 companies by executive search firm Battalia Winston found the number of companies planning to throw a party this year is up 74 percent from last. 91 percent of respondents said they intended to kick up their heels. Despite a still-challenging economy, says Dale Winston, CEO of Battalia,"It seems that companies are moving back to a state of normality"—at least where parties are concerned.

Read more http://feeds.abcnews.com/click.phdo?i=65d90d16322fa198a7e8d1c2479b0f22